Occupella: LocalTones 2012

Glee aired its final episode of the season this week, leaving many fans desperately waiting for new a cappella-laden episodes. Luckily for them, Occupella is right around the corner.

This year, Occupella, the annual LocalTones A Cappella Showcase at UC Davis, will be hosted at Freeborn Hall tonight with doors opening at 7 p.m. This year’s showcase will feature four collegiate a cappella groups: The Spokes, The Afterglow, The Lounge Lizards and The Liquid Hotplates.

In addition, members of Birdstrike Comedy and Improv Theatre will be the hosts of the event.

“This is our first time hosting this show and boy, are we excited,” said Omri Kruvi, a sophomore landscape architecture major who will be one of the three hosts for the event.

“Students should come for the sultry singing. I have seen all of these groups perform and they are sexy good,” Kruvi said. “Members of the audience will be leaving with fulfillment of outstanding entertainment by their own peers.”

Kruvi also mentioned that Birdstrike will be integrating some short skits during the show.

Camille Martinez, a senior human development and communication double major, who is also part of The Spokes, expressed how exciting the upcoming show will be.

“LocalTones is a fan favorite for UC Davis students. I’ve seen every seat at LocalTones filled for the last three years I have been in the group,” Martinez said. “This year, students can expect a show that will blow their expectations out of the water. The Spokes will be singing a wide variety of songs this year, from the jazz classic ‘Smile’ by Charlie Chaplin to rock anthems like ‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot’ by Pat Benatar.”

Milton Jackson, a fifth-year African American studies and music double major, agrees with Martinez. Jackson sings with The Afterglow, the all-male a cappella group on campus.

“Students should most definitely come to Occupella: LocalTones 2012 because it’s sure to be a show-stopping musical extravaganza that is unlike your quintessential a cappella show,” said Jackson. “The Afterglow will be performing songs by Boyz II Men, Everlast, Fastball, Kanye West and The Spice Girls.”

The Spokes and The Afterglow have teamed up together for a special collaboration titled “The AfterSpokes” for the first time ever. There will also be a live beatbox battle.

Ellen Labitzke, a sophomore English and women’s studies double major, who is part of The Lounge Lizards, pointed out that the real highlights of the event will be listening to the groups performing new songs.

“The Lounge Lizards have learned quite a few new songs for this (‘Some Nights’ by Fun being one of them), and we’re definitely looking forward to performing them,” said Labitzke.

Ali Wallace, a senior anthropology major and a member of The Liquid Hotplates, said that her group will be performing songs by Adele, Gotye and the Backstreet Boys.

“This is sure to be an event to remember, and the atmosphere is going to be wonderful,” Wallace said.